Santos leads Rumble 7-8-9

June Pepsi King of the Lanes winner John Santos took the early lead in the Miller Lite/Pepsi Rumble “7-8-9” Bowling Tournament.

Santos finished with 823 pinfalls in the event’s first round held last July 11 at the Saipan Bowling Center.

The Department of Public Safety officer knocked down a perfect 300 score in his first game then followed it up with a 278 and 245 in the next two for a sizzling 274.3 pinfall series average.

Arnel Del Rosario is a mere nine pins behind Santos after coming up with a three-game series total of 812. He also rolled a perfect score in his first game but managed to get one up over Santos when he rolled another 300 in his second game. Del Rosario, however, tired out in his next trip to the lanes and could only muster a 212 for an average of 270.6.

Raul Dumapit is clinging to third place after coming up with a score of 810. He also went perfect in his first try then scored a 277 and 233 in his next two games to wound up with a 270 per game norm.

The first round of the Miller Lite/Pepsi Rumble “7-8-9” Bowling Tournament attracted 49 entries and more players are expected to participate as the event rolls off its second and third rounds this weekend.

The unique tenpin competition will resume this coming Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18, also at the San Jose bowling venue.

A one-of-a-kind bowling tournament on Saipan, the Rumble awards a bowler a strike if he or she knocks down seven pins or better on the first ball in the first game. In the second game, the bowler must then knock down eight or more pins to get a strike. And on the third game, the player must knock down nine or more pins to get a strike.

Players then must knock down pins that remain standings outside the “considered strike” rule to get a spare.

The SBA said all other regular ABC bowling rules would apply and rules on fouls would be strictly enforced and all bowlers are required to observe bowling etiquette.

The winner of the Rumble will take home $500 and a first place trophy. SBA also said that additional cash prizes would be awarded depending on the number of entries. A special prize would also go to the bowler with the most “300” games.

Main sponsor Pacific Trading Co. has donated $750 and the championship trophy for the tournament.

Registration for the Rumble starts at 9:45am with the first shift scheduled 15 minutes later at 10am. The start of the last shift begins at 4pm. Registration shall be on a first come, first served basis. Each shift can accommodate up to 60 bowlers.

Entry fee is $20 and entitles ticket holders to the July 18 raffle. Raffle prizes at stake are a color TV, a DVD player, a radio/CD player and other great items.

All proceeds from Miller Lite/Pepsi Rumble “7-8-9” Bowling Tournament will go to SBA’s youth program and funding for off-island tournaments.

For more information on the Rumble please e-mail SBA officials Ross Zapanta at zapanta@vzpacifica.net or Ador Dimaano at ador_dimaano@tanholdings.com.